So you thought that knowing your blood type was useful for medical emergencies and things of that nature? Well, it’s not just that, according to Dr. Peter D’Adamo. D’Adamo is a naturopathic physician and author of several books on the Blood Type Diet.
According to him, while we can clearly see physical passing of genes from one generation to another (the colour of your eyes and hair, the shape of your face, your height, the way your nose looks) these won’t tell you things like how your body is able to digest one type of food better than another or how susceptible you are to certain diseases. Rather, he says that these are all things that can be unraveled from knowing our blood types.
He says that this is the reason why some people can eat a whole lot of cake and carbohydrates and not gain weight while you just can’t seem to keep the weight off unless you’re living on salads and greens.
On the Eat Right for Your Type website,
http://www.dadamo.com/dadamo.htm, D’Adamo explains it as such:
“It seems your neighbour can eat all manner of breakfast breads and pastries and never gain a pound. You not only gain weight, but for you, maybe the cinnamon or chocolate coated donuts also cause digestive problems. Why?
“The key is found in protein molecules called lectins. Researchers have identified over 1,000 foods that contain these protein “lectins.” Because we are individuals, our bodies will interact with these lectins in different ways – some good and some harmful. Of all the genetic characteristics that you inherited, only one characteristic will help you predict these interactions and stay healthy: your blood type.
“For example, for those with blood type O, the lectins in wheat bind with cellular receptors in the gut and can lead to the symptoms often mistaken for an “upset stomach.” Excess exposure to the wrong lectins can lead to other more chronic health conditions.”
In his books, D’Adamo has laid out the fruits of his labour, charting out the right foods for each blood type but the diet isn’t just about weight loss. The diet includes ways in which you can counteract your body’s propensity to stress, the right kinds of exercises and activities that you should indulge in that will suit the way your body works.
According to him, the way your body reacts to the food you eat affects everything – energy levels, healthy weight, mental clarity, ability to handle stress. So in order to keep a wholesome healthy life, you need to “eat right for your type”.
There has been a lot of debate on whether this is true or not, and no hard and fast scientific research has been done. There have been many individual testimonies about how the diet has helped but there are many skeptics who feel that there is no proven evidence that our blood types affect our health.
Still, the diet is generally seen as not harmful and if you are having problems, who knows? This might just work out for you.
Here are some of D’Adamo’s suggestions to help you start off.
Type A
“When we discuss ‘diet,’ we are not talking necessarily about a weight loss plan, that’s a side benefit to following this plan. We are actually discussing diet in the more traditional sense, meaning a way to eat,” explains, Dr. D’Adamo. Type As flourish on a vegetarian diet - if you are accustomed to eating meat, you will lose weight and have more energy once you eliminate the toxic foods from your diet. Many people find it difficult to move away from the typical meat and potato fare to soy proteins, grains and vegetables. But it is particularly important for sensitive Type As to eat their foods in as natural a state as possible: pure, fresh and organic. “I can’t emphasise enough how this critical dietary adjustment can be to the sensitive immune system of Type A. With this diet you can supercharge your immune system and potentially short circuit the development of life threatening diseases.”
In addition to exercise, stress management and eating the right foods, here are some key lifestyle strategies for Type A individuals.
• Establish a consistent daily schedule
• Go to bed no later than 11:00pm and sleep for eight hours or more. Don't linger in bed, as soon as you get up, get going!
• Take at least two breaks of 20 minutes each during the work day. Stretch, take a walk, do deep breathing exercises or meditate.
• Don't skip meals
• Eat more protein at the start of the day, less at the end
• Don't eat when you are anxious
• Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
• Engage in thirty to forty five minutes of calming exercise at least three times a week.
• Plan regular screening for heart disease and cancer prevention.
Always chew food thoroughly to enhance digestion. Low stomach acid makes digestion more difficult.
Type B
For Type Bs the biggest factors in weight gain are corn, wheat, buckwheat, lentils, tomatoes, peanuts and sesame seeds. Each of these foods affect the efficiency of your metabolic process, resulting in fatigue, fluid retention, and hypoglycemia - a severe drop in blood sugar after eating a meal. When you eliminate these foods and begin eating a diet that is right for your type, your blood sugar levels should remain normal after meals. Another very common food that Type Bs should avoid is chicken. Chicken contains a Blood Type B agglutinating lectin in its muscle tissue. Although chicken is a lean meat, the issue is the power of an agglutinating lectin attacking your bloodstream and the potential for it to lead to strokes and immune disorders. Dr. D’Adamo suggests that you wean yourself away from chicken and replace them with highly beneficial foods such as goat, lamb, mutton, rabbit and venison. Other foods that encourage weight loss are green vegetables, eggs, beneficial meats, and low fat dairy. When the toxic foods are avoided and replaced with beneficial foods, Blood Type Bs are very successful in controlling their weight.
Here are Dr. D’Adamo’s key lifestyle strategies for Type Bs:
• Visualisation is a powerful technique for Type Bs. If you can visualise it, you can achieve it
• Spend at least 20 minutes a day involved in some creative task that requires your complete attention
• Go to bed no later than 11:00pm and sleep for eight hours or more. It is essential for B's to maintain their circadian rhythm
• Use mediation to relax during breaks
• Engage in a community, neighborhood or other group activity that gives you a meaningful connection to a group. Type Bs are natural born networkers
• Be spontaneous
As they age, Type Bs have a tendency to suffer memory loss and have decreased mental acuity. Stay sharp by doing tasks that require concentration, such as crossword puzzles or learn a new skill or language
Type AB
Type AB reflects the mixed inheritance of their A and B genes. According to Dr. D’Adamo, “Type AB has Type A’s low stomach acid, however, they also have Type B’s adaptation to meats. Therefore, you lack enough stomach acid to metabolise them efficiently and the meat you eat tends to get stored as fat. Your Type B propensities cause the same insulin reaction as Type B when you eat lima beans, corn, buckwheat, or sesame seeds.” Inhibited insulin production results in hypoglycemia, a lowering of blood sugar after meals and leads to less efficient metabolism of foods.
Type AB should avoid caffeine and alcohol, especially when you’re in stressful situations. Dr. D’Adamo recommends that Type AB focus on foods such as tofu, seafood, dairy and green vegetables if you are trying to lose weight. “Avoid all smoked or cured meats. These foods can cause stomach cancer in people with low levels of stomach acid,” recommends Dr. D’Adamo. There is a wide variety of seafood for Type AB, and it is an excellent source of protein for Type AB. A few highly beneficial fish are mahi-mahi, red snapper, salmon, sardines, and tuna. Some dairy is also beneficial for Type AB – especially cultured dairy such as yogurt and kefir.
Dr. D’Adamo also recommends smaller, more frequent meals, as they will counteract digestive problems caused by inadequate stomach acid and peptic enzymes. “Your stomach initiates the digestive process with a combination of digestive secretions, and the muscular contractions that mix food with them. When you have low levels of digestive secretions, food tends to stay in the stomach longer.” Explains D’Adamo. He also suggests that Type AB pay attention to combining certain foods. For example, you’ll digest and metabolise foods more efficiently if you avoid eating starches and proteins in the same meal.
Here are Dr. D’Adamo’s key lifestyle strategies for people with Blood Type AB:
• Avoid situations that are highly competitive
• Develop a clear plan for goals
and tasks – annually, monthly, weekly, daily – to avoid rushing
• Make lifestyle changes gradually, rather than trying to tackle everything at once
• Engage in 45 to 60 minutes of aerobic exercise at least twice a week. Balanced by daily stretching, meditation or yoga
• Engage in a community, neighborhood or other group activity that gives you a meaningful connection to a group
• Practise visualisation techniques daily
• Also carve out time alone. Have at least one sport, hobby or activity that you perform independently of others
• Break up your workday with some physical activity, especially if your job is sedentary. You’ll feel more energised
Type O
Type O’s benefit tremendously from brisk regular exercise that taxes the cardiovascular and muscular skeletal system; but the benefit derived surpasses the goal of physical fitness. Type O also derives the benefit of a well-timed chemical release system. The act of physical exercise releases a swarm of neurotransmitter activity that acts as a tonic for the entire system. The Type O who exercises regularly also has a better emotional response. You are more emotionally balanced as a result of well regulated, efficient chemical transport system. More than any other blood type, O’s rely on physical exercise to maintain physical health and emotional balance. Dr. D’Adamo suggests that Type O’s engage in regular physical activity three to four times per week. For best results, engage in aerobic activity for thirty to 45 minutes at least four times per week. If you are easily bored, choose two or three different exercises and vary your routine.
In addition to exercising and eating foods that are Right For Your Type, here are a few key lifestyle strategies for Type O individuals:
•Develop clear plans for goals and tasks – annual, monthly, weekly, daily to avoid impulsivity.
• Make lifestyle changes gradually, rather than trying to tackle everything at once.
• Eat all meals, even snacks, seated at a table.
• Chew slowly and put your fork down between bites of food.
• Avoid making big decisions or spending money when stressed.
• Do something physical when you feel anxious.
• Engage in 30 to 45 minutes of aerobic exercise at least four times per week.
• When you crave a pleasure releasing-substance (alcohol, tobacco, sugar), do something physical.
(Taken from MalaysianToday.com on the 11th of March 2009)
